Wirelessly sensing properties of a closed environment and devices thereof

ABSTRACT

A wireless sensor measures properties of a substance and transmits the properties to a remote wireless receiver. The wireless sensor can be fully enclosed within a container containing the substance, allowing remote monitoring of the properties of the substance without compromising integrity of a closed system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of International ApplicationNo. PCT/US2017/042435, filed Jul. 17, 2017, which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/362,737, filed Jul. 15, 2016, bothof which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND (1) Field of the Invention

This disclosure relates to measuring and regulating properties ofcontents of a closed environment.

(2) Description of the Related Art

Numerous processes rely upon observation of contents of a closedenvironment in order to monitor and control the processes. For example,in a laboratory setting, a substance may be heated in a closed containerto facilitate a desired chemical reaction or physical change. Theseclosed containers may be heated using a hotplate stirrer, which can mixsubstances or keep them homogeneous while holding them at a certaintemperature. Maintaining the temperature in these substances as they aremixed can be complicated by factors such as inconsistent transfer ofheat from the hotplate to the substance as well as fluctuations in roomtemperature or hotplate power. Users of a hotplate may therefore use anexternal temperature probe to monitor the temperature of the substance.Some hotplates have temperature probes built into the plate that canmeasure the temperature of the heating plate surface. However, due toinconsistent thermal contact between the plate and the container, aswell as inconsistent heat transfer to the substance inside thecontainer, the built-in temperature probes typically have low accuracy.Other methods for measuring temperature include lowering a temperatureprobe into the sample, using a support structure external to thecontainer, to directly measure the temperature of the substance.However, ensuring the probe remains in contact with the substance can bedifficult, especially as the substance is mixed or agitated.Furthermore, if the container holding the substance needs to be closedduring the heating and mixing process, lowering an external probe intothe container can compromise the integrity of the process.

Other closed systems can similarly complicate measurement of propertiesof the system. There is therefore a need for a method to detectproperties of a closed system, without compromising the integrity of thesystem.

SUMMARY

A wireless sensor measures properties of a substance and transmits theproperties to a remote wireless receiver. The wireless sensor can befully enclosed within a container containing the substance, allowingremote monitoring of the properties of the substance withoutcompromising integrity of a closed system.

The wireless sensor can be incorporated into a stir bar device, whichcan be magnetically manipulated by an instrument to agitate a fluid in acontainer. The instrument can also heat the fluid in the container. Asthe stir bar device agitates the fluid, the device can measureproperties of the fluid and transmit the properties to a control systemof the instrument. The control system can regulate outputs of theinstrument, such as an amount of heat or a rate of rotation of the stirbar device, based on feedback received from the wireless sensor in thestir bar device. Because the stir bar device wirelessly transmits datato the control system, the container can be sealed.

A wireless sensor can be used in systems to remotely monitor and controlproperties of substances.

An instrument is disclosed that can have an agitator, a temperaturesensor and a controller. The agitator can be configured to agitate aliquid in a container. The temperature sensor can be immersible in theliquid. The temperature sensor can be configured to measure atemperature of the liquid. The temperature sensor can wirelesslytransmit feedback indicating the temperature of the liquid to a wirelessreceiver. The controller can be configured to regulate the temperatureof the liquid based on the feedback.

An instrument is disclosed that can have a wireless sensor and awireless receiver. The wireless sensor can be enclosed within a closedcontainer containing a substance. The wireless sensor can have awireless transmitter. The wireless sensor can have a sensor configuredto measure a property of the substance. The wireless receiver can be inelectronic communication with the wireless transmitter. The wirelesstransmitter can transmit data describing the property of the substanceto the wireless receiver.

A wireless temperature measurement device is disclosed. The wirelesstemperature measurement device can be configured to work as an agitatorthat can be dropped into liquid. The liquid can be heated or cooled byan instrument. The instrument can communicate with and power themeasurement device wirelessly. The device can measure the temperature ofthe liquid.

The wireless temperature measurement device can have a wirelesstemperature sensor device configured to communicate with a receiver viawireless communication. The sensor device can have at least one of thefollowing properties: a) the sensor device is powered with wirelessenergy; b) the sensor device agitates liquid by use of magnetic action;c) the sensor device has at least 2 different temperature measurementelements that can be compared and if they do not track then the deviceis considered broken or out of calibration; d) at least one of thetemperature measurement elements is configured to operate by measuringthe resistance change in a thermistor; and/or e) at least one of thetemperature measurement elements is configured to operate by measuringthe change in voltage of a semiconductor device.

The device can be completely immersed into the liquid. The measurementdevice may not require any wires to function. The wireless temperaturemeasurement device can have at least one of the following properties: a)the measurement device communicates with the instrument via wirelesssignals and the measurement device is powered with wireless energy; b)the liquid to be heated is contained in a separate container that can beplaced on or at the instrument; c) the measurement device also functionsas an agitator of the liquid to be heated and the instrument activatesthe agitator function via a magnetic field; and/or d) the measurementdevice also measures at least one other liquid characteristic, said atleast one other characteristic being any of pH, Specific gravity,viscosity, salinity, conductance, color, absorbance, fluorescence,pressure, electrochemical, conductivity, chemiluminescence, liquidlevel, rotation, acceleration or velocity.

The measurement device can be completely immersed into the liquid. Themeasurement device can measure the temperature of the liquid. Thewireless measurement device can have at least one of the followingproperties: a) the measurement device communicates with the instrumentvia radio waves and the measurement device is powered with radio waves;b) the liquid to be agitated is contained in a separate container thatcan be placed on or at the instrument; c) the measurement device alsofunctions as an agitator of the liquid to be heated and where theinstrument can activate the agitator function via a magnetic field; d)the measurement device also measures other liquid characteristics suchas any of pH or fluid velocity; e) the measurement device also measuresat least one other characteristic of the fluid, said at least one othercharacteristic being any of pH, Specific gravity, viscosity, salinity,conductance, color, absorbance, fluorescence, pressure, electrochemical,conductivity, chemiluminescence, liquid level, rotation or velocity.

A system is disclosed where a fluid disposed inside of a sealedcontainer is automatically measured remotely for at least onemeasurement without direct electrical connection. The system can have atleast one of: a) the at least one measurement is done using wirelesscommunication and wireless powering of the sensor, at least onemeasurement being any of temperature, electrochemical, pH, specificgravity, viscosity, conductance, salinity, color, absorbance,fluorescence, pressure, conductivity, chemiluminescence, liquid level,rotation, velocity and acceleration; and/or b) the at least onemeasurement is done using wireless or optical communication to awirelessly or optically powered sensor, said at least one measurementbeing any of temperature, electrochemical, pH, specific gravity,viscosity, conductance, salinity, color, absorbance, fluorescence,pressure, conductivity, chemiluminescence, liquid level, rotation,velocity and acceleration.

A system for manipulating a liquid compound based on the feedback from awireless sensor element that can measure one or more parameters in theliquid is disclosed. The liquid manipulation can be by heating,agitation, mechanical homogenization, electrolysis, adding anothercompound exposing to electromagnetic waves comprising any of light orradio waves or x-rays, exposing to radiation, exposing to pressure orvacuum exposing to sound waves or ultrasound waves, exposing tocentrifugal force, exposing to an electric field, exposing to a magneticfield, removing selective constituents by filtering or densityseparation of certain compounds, removing bulk liquid, degassing,desalination; and wherein said feedback is obtained from at least onewireless measurement, said at least one wireless measurement being anyof temperature, electrochemical, pH, specific gravity, viscosity,conductance, salinity, color, absorbance, fluorescence, pressure,conductivity, chemiluminescence, liquid level, rotation, velocity,acceleration, or combinations thereof.

A system is disclosed that can have a container that can have anembedded wireless temperature sensor and a separate communication devicethat can communicate with the wireless temperature sensor. The systemcan have any of: a) the embedded wireless temperature sensor is alsopowered with wireless power; b) the communication device is configuredto heat the container; c) the communication device can be set to heatthe container based on the temperature feedback transmitted wirelessly;d) the container has built in mechanical blades for homogenization orheating the material in the container and where the communication devicehas an activation element configured to activate the mechanical blades;e) the communication device can be set to activate the blades in thecontainer based on the temperature feedback transmitted wirelessly.

A system is disclosed where a substance disposed inside of a sealedcontainer can be automatically measured remotely with a wireless sensorfor at least one measurement without direct electrical connection. Thesystem can have at least one of: a) the at least one measurement is doneusing wireless communication and wireless powering of the sensor, atleast one measurement being any of temperature, electrochemical, pH,specific gravity, viscosity, conductance, salinity, color, absorbance,fluorescence, pressure, conductivity, chemiluminescence, fill level,rotation, velocity and acceleration; b) the at least one measurement isdone using wireless or optical communication to a wirelessly oroptically powered sensor, said at least one measurement being any oftemperature, electrochemical, pH, specific gravity, viscosity,conductance, salinity, color, absorbance, fluorescence, pressure,conductivity, chemiluminescence, fill level, rotation, velocity andacceleration; c) the at least one measurement is done using wireless oroptical communication to a sensor, said at least one measurement beingtemperature and specific gravity of the fluid; or combinations thereof.The disclosed system can also have: a wireless sensor that contains awireless transmitter for transmitting sensor data to a wireless receiverand where the wireless receiver is a computing device such as a smartphone; and where the wireless sensor can measure temperature andspecific gravity of the substance in the container. The system can haveany of the following: A) the wireless receiver computing device thatreceives the wireless sensor data can emit a notification if thetemperature of the substance is outside specified limits; B) thewireless receiver computing device that receives the wireless sensordata can emit a notification if the specific gravity of the substance isoutside specified limits; C) the wireless receiver computing device haspre-select profiles that sets parameters for durations and specifiedtemperature limits for the substance and where the wireless receivercomputing device emits a notification if the substance parameters areoutside the profile parameters; D) the wireless receiver computingdevice has pre-select profiles that sets parameters for durations andspecified temperature limits and specified specific gravity limits forthe substance and where the wireless receiver computing device emits anotification if the substance parameters are outside the profileparameters; E) the wireless sensor data is presented to the wirelessreceiver computing device in the form of a web page using standard weblanguage such as HTML; F) the wireless receiver computing deviceprocesses an application program that interpret and presents thewireless sensor data; G) the wireless sensor transmits sensor datathrough one or more wireless routers to the wireless receiver computingdevice; H) the wireless sensor is made to float on or at the top of thesubstance in the container; or combinations thereof.

An instrument device is disclosed for heating and agitating a liquid ina separate container and a wireless measurement device that can bedropped into the liquid to be heated and where the instrumentcommunicates with and powers the measurement device wirelessly and canthereby measure at least one property of the liquid, wherein the liquidis agitated by magnetic action by a separate encapsulated magnet that isdropped into the liquid, and wherein the measurement device can floatnear or at the top of the liquid, and wherein the measurement devicemeasures at least one property of the liquid, said at least one propertyof the liquid being any of pH, Specific gravity, viscosity, salinity,conductance, color, absorbance, fluorescence, pressure, electrochemical,conductivity, chemiluminescence, liquid level, rotation or velocity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view a system for measuring and regulatingproperties of contents of a closed container.

FIG. 2 is a variation of cross-section A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a partial see-through top view of a variation of aninstrument in the system.

FIG. 3B is a partial see-through perspective view of a variation of aninstrument in the system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example electronicconfiguration of a system for measuring and regulating properties ofcontents of a closed container.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate example configurations of sensing devicesconfigured to measure temperature.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate an example floatable sensing device.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example sensing device coupled to a stopper of theclosed container.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example sensing device configured as a wirelesselectrochemical sensor.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example sensing device configured as a wireless pHsensor.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example sensing device configured as a wirelessfluorescence sensor.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example sensing device configured as a wirelessabsorbance sensor.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example sensing device configured as a wirelessrefractometer.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example sensing device configured as a wirelesshydrometer.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for regulatingtemperature of a substance based on feedback received from a wirelesssensing device.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example system for controlling reagent deliverybased on feedback received from a wireless sensing device.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example hot plate system regulating properties ofmultiple substances.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example blender system using a wireless sensingdevice.

FIGS. 18A-18B illustrates an example wine monitoring system using awireless sensing device.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example floatable level sensing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates that a system 100 for measuring and regulatingproperties of contents of a closed container can have a container 110containing a substance 115 and a sensing device 120. The container 110can be a closed or partially closed environment. For example, thecontainer 110 can be a flask, vial, or pot that can contain thesubstance 115 and can be closed via a stopper or lid to form an airtightenvironment. The container 110 may be closable with a stopper or lid toform an environment that is not airtight, or may be open to the ambientenvironment. Other examples of the container 110 include a blenderpitcher, a fermenting vessel, a bottle, a well plate, or any othercontainer suitable to contain the substance 115.

The substance 115 can include any liquid, solid, gel, gas, orcombination of materials. Properties of the substance 115 can be changedand controlled by the system 100 based on data detected by the sensingdevice 120. Data describing properties of the substance 115 can bewirelessly transmitted by the sensing device 120 to a wireless receiveroutside the container 110.

The sensing device 120 can be fully enclosed in the container 110, andsome configurations of the sensing device 120 can be fully or partiallyimmersible in the substance 115. The sensing device 120 can be supportedby and fully contained within the container 110, or may cross throughthe container 110 without compromising the integrity of a closedenvironment in the container 110. The sensing device 120 may bewirelessly powered by an external wireless receiver, enabling thesensing device 120 to function without a battery. Because a batteryrequires periodic charging, can wear out after a number of charges, andtypically operates most effectively within a limited temperature range,omitting a battery from the sensing device 120 improves the longevity ofthe device and can be used for applications that may exposes the device120 to extreme temperatures. The sensing device 120 can include abattery.

FIG. 2 shows an example configuration 200 of the system 100, alongcross-section A-A shown in FIG. 1. The system 200 can be a system forheating and agitating a substance 115 in a container 110, and caninclude an instrument 210 and the sensing device 120.

The instrument 210 can include a heating surface 212 for supporting thecontainer 110 and transferring heat from a heating element 216 to thecontainer 110 and substance 115. A wireless receiver 214 can bepositioned under the heating surface 212 and electrically and thermallyinsulated from the heating element 216 or the heating element 216 can becombined with the wireless receiver 214. Under the heating element 216can be an insulating layer 218. The instrument 210 can also include amagnet 222 rotatable by a motor 220.

The magnet 222 can cause a magnetic object placed on or near the heatedsurface 212 to rotate as the magnet 222 is rotated by the motor 220.Accordingly, a magnetic object placed in the container 110 can agitateor mix the substance 115 as it is rotated by the magnet 222. The sensingdevice 120 can include a corresponding magnet, enabling the sensingdevice 120 to function as an agitator of the substance 115, or a magnetseparate from or coupled to the sensing device 120 may be placed intothe container 110. The magnetic action can also be accomplished byelectromagnets placed under or near the heating surface 212.

The instrument 210 can also include a control panel 224 configured toreceive user inputs and display information to the user. For example,the control panel 224 can receive user inputs to increase or decrease atemperature of the heating element 216 and increase or decrease a rateof rotation of the magnet 222. The control panel 224 can include adisplay, such as an LCD screen or electronic ink (E Ink) screen or oneor more LEDs, that can display temperature, magnet rotation, or otherinformation to the user. The control panel 224 can additionally oralternatively include buttons, knobs, or other input devices enabling auser to provide input into the instrument 210.

A controller 226 in the instrument 210 can control the instrument 210,processing inputs received from a user and feedback received from thewireless receiver 214. Outputs of the instrument 210, such as thethermal energy emitted by the heating element 216 and a rate of rotationof the motor 220, can be controlled by the controller 226 based onfeedback received from the sensing device 120 and/or other sensingdevices in the instrument 210.

The wireless receiver 214 can be configured to receive data transmittedwirelessly from the sensing device 120. The wireless receiver 214 canbe, for example, a radio frequency identification (RFID) receiver, anear field communication (NFC) receiver, a Bluetooth receiver, aBluetooth Low Energy receiver, a ZigBee receiver, a Z-Wave receiver or aWi-Fi receiver or a receiver of any other wireless protocol. Datareceived by the wireless receiver 214 can be stored in a memory orreceived by a processor for controlling outputs of the instrument 210based on the received data. The wireless receiver 214 can alsowirelessly power the sensing device 120 via radio signals or inductivecharging. Properties of the substance 115, such as temperature, pH,specific gravity, viscosity, salinity, conductance, absorbance,fluorescence, or pressure, can be measured by the sensing device 120 andtransmitted to the wireless receiver 214.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example top view of the instrument 210 with theheating surface 212 removed. As shown in FIG. 3A, the wireless receiver214 can be placed between the heating element 216 and the heatingsurface 212. One or more temperature sensors 306 can measure thetemperature of the heating element 216 or the heating surface 212. Thetemperature sensors 306 can use multiple different sensor types toverify calibration or ensure accuracy of the temperature measurements ofthe heating surface 212. For example, one temperature sensor 306 can bea platinum resistance temperature detector (RTD), and the othertemperature sensor 306 can be a thermocouple.

FIG. 3B illustrates that the wireless receiver 214 can include a firstantenna 302 and a second antenna 304 configured to receive data from,and optionally to transmit data to, the sensing device 120. The firstand second antennas 302 and 304 can have different orientations todetect signals from the sensing device 120 in any rotational position ofthe sensing device 120. Additional or fewer antennas may be included inthe instrument 210. The antenna can be made from high temperatureCeramawire or other materials that can withstand the temperature near atthe antenna.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating that the sensing device 120can include an integrated circuit 402 that can read output from a sensor404 and communicate with an antenna 406. The integrated circuit 402 cancontain an internal temperature sensor such as a semiconductor junction.The integrated circuit 402 can include an Analog to Digital converter toconvert the signals from the sensors to data for wireless transmission.A magnet 408 can be mechanically coupled to the integrated circuit 402,for example by a housing enclosing the magnet 408 and the integratedcircuit 402.

The instrument 210 can include a control panel 224, a WiFi module 414, amicroprocessor system 416, a power supply 418, a heater driver circuit420, a motor driver circuit 422, and a communication circuit 424. Othervariations can include additional, fewer, or different components. Themicroprocessor system 416, WiFi module 414, heater driver circuit 420,motor driver circuit 422, and RFID communication circuit 424 cancollectively form the controller 226 described with respect to FIG. 2.

The power supply 418 receives power from an input, such as an AC powersource, and provides power to other components of the instrument 210.

Functions of the instrument 210 can be controlled by the microprocessorsystem 416. The microprocessor system 416 can be, for example, anARM-based microprocessor system with random access memory, flash memoryas well as clock source and other circuits needed to create amicroprocessor system, and can include a microprocessor as well as avolatile or non-volatile memory. The microprocessor system 416 cancommunicate with the control panel 224 to display information or receiveuser inputs, and can control the heater driver circuit 420 and the motordriver circuit 422. The microprocessor system 416 can also communicatewith the RFID communication circuit 424 and the WiFi module 414 toreceive data transmitted to the WiFi module 414 or the RFIDcommunication circuit 424, or to transmit data from the WiFi module 414or the RFID communication circuit 424.

The heater driver circuit 420 drives the heating element 216 to provideheat to the heating surface 212. The heater driver circuit 420 canregulate the temperature of the heating element 216 based on inputsreceived from the one or more temperature sensors 306. The heater drivercircuit 420 can also regulate the temperature of the heating element 216based on data received from the microprocessor system 416, such as atemperature of the substance 115 detected by the sensing device 120.

The motor driver circuit 422 drives the motor 220, which in turn rotatesthe magnet 222 at various speeds and in both directions. A rate ofrotation of the magnet 222 can be communicated to the motor drivercircuit 222 by the microprocessor system 416, based on a user inputreceived at the control panel 224.

The RFID communication circuit 424 can receive a signal from andtransmit a signal to a remote wireless device, such as the sensingdevice 120. The RFID communication circuit 424 can provide an electronicsignal to the sensing device 120 to power the sensing device 120. Asignal output by the RFID communication circuit 424 can pass through asplitter 432, which passes the split signal to a first antenna 434 and a90-degree phase shifter 436 and second antenna 438. The 90-degree phaseshift can enable the RFID communication circuit 424 to communicate withthe sensing device 120 when the sensing device 120 is in any rotationalposition. Alternatively, if there is only one antenna in the system, theoutput from the RFID communication circuit 424 can go directly to theone antenna eliminating the need for a splitter 432 and a 90-degreephase shift 436 and second antenna 438.

Sensing Device

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate examples of the sensing device 120 configured tomeasure the temperature of the substance 115. The sensing device 120 caninclude a circuit board 502 supporting the integrated circuit 402 and athermistor 504 readable by the integrated circuit 402. A resistance ofthe thermistor 504 can change in response to a temperature in thesubstance 115, and the integrated circuit 402 can determine thetemperature of the substance 115 by measuring the resistance. Theintegrated circuit 402 may also have an internal temperature sensor likea semiconductor junction, to which the temperature measured by thethermistor 504 can be compared. By having temperature being measured bytwo different temperature sensor types, aging, calibration, and otherreliability issues can be determined because the effect of thesereliability issues will likely be different on the two differenttemperature sensor types. An internal coil 510, comprising for example40 AWG copper wire, can form an antenna for the sensing device 120. Asshown in FIG. 5A, the internal coil 510 can be wound longitudinallywithin the sensing device 120. FIG. 5B illustrates that the internalcoil 510 can be wound around a ferrite tube 512 concentric to alongitudinal axis of the sensing device 120.

The sensing device 120 can further include the magnet 408, enabling thesensing device 120 to agitate or mix the substance 115 in the container110. A casing 530 can encapsulate the circuit board 502, internal coil510, and magnet 408. Many types of encapsulations may be used for thecasing 530, such as plastics, glass, rubber, or other materials that canprovide a barrier between the substance 115 and electronics internal tothe sensing device 120. For example, the casing 530 can be constructedfrom EFEP from Daikon™, which is a fluoropolymer with a relatively lowprocessing temperature point around 230° C.

The sensing device 120 shown in FIG. 5B can be used to measure viscosityof the substance 115, in addition to measuring the temperature. Awireless receiver, such as the antenna 302 and antenna 304 of theinstrument 210, can be oriented perpendicularly to the internal coil510. As the sensing device 120 is rotated via the magnet 408, thewireless receiver can detect an orientation of the internal coil 510. Arate of the sensing device's rotation can be calculated based on theorientations, and a torque on the motor 220 can be measured. Based onthe rate of rotation and the torque on the motor 220, viscosity of thesubstance 115 can be determined. The rate of rotation of the sensingdevice 120 can be measured in other manners, such as with a gyroscope oraccelerometer.

FIG. 6A illustrates another example of the sensing device 120 that isconfigured to float on the substance 115. An agitator 602 separate fromthe sensing device 120, such as a magnetic stir bar, can be used toagitate the substance 115 as described above. FIG. 6B illustratescomponents of the floatable sensing device 120 configured to sensetemperature of the substance 115. As shown in FIG. 6B, the floatablesensing device 120 can include the antenna coil 510, the circuit board502, the thermistor 504, and the integrated circuit 402. Antenna wires604 can couple the antenna coil 510 to the integrated circuit 402. Aballast 606 stabilizes the sensing device 120, and a plastic overmold608 encapsulates the electronics and ballast 606. The floatable sensingdevice 120 can measure the temperature of the substance 115 and transmitthe detected temperature to a wireless receiver via the antenna coil510. Although the floatable sensing device 120 shown in FIG. 6B is atemperature sensor, sensors measuring other properties of the substance115 can be provided in the floatable sensing device 120 instead of, orin addition to, the temperature sensing components.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example sensing device 120 that is coupled to astopper 702 closing or sealing a top opening of the container 110. Awireless circuit and antenna 704 can be housed in the stopper 702, andcan be coupled to a sensor 706 in contact with the substance 115 by ashaft 708. The sensor 706 can measure properties of the substance 115and communicate the properties to the wireless circuit and antenna 704,which in turn can transmit data describing the properties to an externalreceiver. Similar configurations of the sensing device 120 may beprovided in a lid or other enclosure, or the container 110 itself,rather than in a stopper 702.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example sensing device 120 configured as awireless electrochemical sensor. As shown in FIG. 8, the electrochemicalsensor can include a wireless communication circuit 802, a measuringelectrode 804, a counter electrode 806, and a reference electrode 808.The wireless communication circuit 802 can receive a voltage differencebetween the measuring electrode 804 and the counter electrode 806, andreport the voltage difference to a wireless receiver via the antenna510. Based on the voltage data, the wireless communication circuit 802or a remote system can determine an electrochemical property of thesubstance 115, which can indicate properties such as a concentration ofglucose or alcohol in the substance. The wireless communication circuit802 can also maintain a stable voltage at the measuring electrode 804using the reference electrode 808 and a potentiostat embedded in thewireless communication circuit 802 (not shown in FIG. 8). The sensingdevice 120 can further include a magnet and/or ballast 810 allowing thesensing device 120 to function as an agitator and/or stabilizing thesensing device 120. The device in FIG. 8 can also be used forconductivity measurement of substance 115 by measuring the conductivitybetween two electrodes when a specific voltage is applied across them.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example sensing device 120 configured as awireless pH sensor. As shown in FIG. 9, the pH sensor can include thewireless communication circuit 802, a first electrode 902, a secondelectrode 904, a reference electrolyte 906, H+ selective glass 908, anda porous junction 910. The H+ selective glass 908 is sensitive tohydrogen ions in the substance 115, producing a charge on the firstelectrode 902. The reference electrolyte 906 produces a charge at thesecond electrode 904. The wireless communication circuit 802 can measurea voltage difference between the first electrode 902 and the secondelectrode 904, determine the pH of the substance 115 based on thevoltage difference, and report the pH to a wireless receiver via theantenna 510. The porous junction 910 can facilitate slow permeation ofthe reference electrolyte 906 into the substance 115, creatingelectrical contact between the reference electrolyte 906 and thesubstance 115. The reference electrolyte 906 can be periodicallyrefilled via a fill hole 910 in the sensing device 120. The sensingdevice 120 can further include a magnet and/or ballast 810 allowing thesensing device 120 to function as an agitator and/or stabilizing thesensing device 120.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example sensing device 120 configured as awireless fluorescence sensor. As shown in FIG. 10, the fluorescencesensor can include the wireless communication circuit 802, a LED lightsource 1006, an emission filter 1008, a light sensor 1002, a detectionfilter 1004, and an optics board 1010. A light signal passes from theLED light source 1006 through the emission filter 1008 into thesubstance 115. The substance 115 can fluoresce in proportion toconcentrations of various compounds in the substance 115. The lightsignal emitted by the fluorescence passes through the detection filter1004 and onto the light sensor 1002 to the optics board 1010, where thefluorescence can be measured. The optics board 1010 can communicatesignals relating to fluorescence to the wireless communication circuit802, which can transmit the data to a wireless receiver via the antenna510. Based on the measured fluorescence, the wireless communicationcircuit 802 or an external device can determine the concentration of ananalyte in the substance 115. The LED light source 1006 may be modulatedin order to reduce interference from ambient light. The sensing device120 can further include a magnet and/or ballast 810 allowing the sensingdevice 120 to function as an agitator and/or stabilizing the sensingdevice 120. A version of the sensing device 120 can function as achemiluminescence sensor by using the light sensor 1002 and thedetection filter 1004 to sense luminescence from the substance 115 andcommunicating the chemiluminescence value with the communication circuit802 via the antenna 510.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example sensing device 120 configured as awireless absorbance sensor. As shown in FIG. 11, the absorbance sensorcan include the wireless communication circuit 802, a first lens 1102, asecond lens 1104, a first optics board 1106, a second optics board 1108,and a linear variable filter 1110. The first optics board 1106 caninclude a white LED emitter 1112, which emits white light that passesthrough the first lens 1102 to the second lens 1104 along a light path1114 through substance 115. The light can pass through the second lens1104 to the linear variable filter 1110. After passing through thelinear variable filter 1110, where the light is filtered, the secondoptics board 1108 can detect a magnitude of the signal and determine anamount of absorbance of the substance 115 based on the detected light byincorporating a photo diode array or a linear CMOS optical sensor. Thesecond optics board 1108 can communicate signals relating to theabsorbance to the wireless communication circuit 802, which can transmitthe data to a wireless receiver via the antenna 510. Based on themeasured absorbance, the wireless communication circuit 802 or anexternal device can determine the concentration of an analyte in thesubstance 115. The LED emitter 1112 may be modulated in order to reduceinterference from ambient light. The sensing device 120 can furtherinclude a magnet and/or ballast 810 allowing the sensing device 120 tofunction as an agitator and/or stabilizing the sensing device 120.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example sensing device 120 configured as awireless refractometer. As shown in FIG. 12, the refractometer caninclude the wireless communication circuit 802, an LED light source1202, a measurement window 1204, a linear array sensor 1206, and acircuit board 1208. The LED light source 1202 can emit a light signaltoward the measurement window 1204, which can be a clear window allowingthe light signal to reach the substance 115. The light signal can berefracted by the substance 115 and reflected towards the linear arraysensor 1206. Based on where the reflected light hits the linear arraysensor 1206, the circuit board 1208 can determine an index of refractionof the substance 115. The circuit board 1208 can send signals relatingto the index of refraction to the wireless communication circuit 802,which transmits the index of refraction signals to a wireless receivervia the antenna 510. The LED light source 1202 may be modulated in orderto reduce interference from ambient light. There may be an opticalfilter after the LED light source 1202 in order to reduce the wavelengthprojected onto the measurement window 1204 to a limited wavelengthrange. The sensing device 120 can further include a magnet and/orballast 810 allowing the sensing device 120 to function as an agitatorand/or stabilizing the sensing device 120.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example sensing device 120 configured as awireless hydrometer. As shown in FIG. 13, the hydrometer can include thewireless communication circuit 802 and an ultrasonic sensor 1302. Thesensing device 120 shown in FIG. 13 can float on the substance 115 at aheight proportional to the specific gravity of the substance 115. Theultrasonic sensor 1302 can emit an ultrasound wave toward the surface ofthe substance 115 and detect a reflection of the emitted wave. Thewireless communication circuit 802 can determine a distance 1304 betweenthe ultrasonic sensor 1302 and the surface of the substance 115 based onthe detected reflection, and calculate the specific gravity of thesubstance 115 based on the determined distance. The wirelesscommunication circuit 802 can transmit the specific gravity to awireless receiver via the antenna 510. The sensing device 120 canfurther include a ballast 1310 to stabilize the sensing device 120. Thedistance to the liquid can also be measured optically, alternatively,the level to which the sensing device is immerged into the liquid can bemeasured using resistive sensing pads or by optical means.

Regulating Properties based on Feedback

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 1400 forregulating the temperature of the substance 115 based on feedbackreceived from the wireless sensing device 120. The process 1400 isdescribed with respect to the hot plate system 200, but a similarprocess can be used to regulate temperature in any other system. Theprocess 1400 can be performed by the controller 226.

As shown in FIG. 14, the controller 226 can read 1402 the temperaturefrom two sensors in the sensing device 120, such as the thermistor 504and a temperature sensor in the integrated circuit 402. The controller226 can determine 1404 whether a difference between the temperaturesdetected by the two sensors is within a threshold difference (e.g.,+/−2° C.). If the difference is greater than the threshold difference,the controller 226 can shut down 1406 the heating element 216 anddisplay 1408 an error on the control panel 224. If the difference isless than the threshold difference, the controller 226 can calculate anaverage of the two temperatures and determine 1410 whether the averageis less than a setpoint. The controller 226 can compare a differenttemperature to the setpoint, such as the temperature output by one ofthe two sensors.

If the average temperature is less than the setpoint, the controller 226can increase 1412 the heating element 216 temperature. If the controller226 determines 1414 the average temperature is greater than thesetpoint, the controller 226 can decrease 1416 the heating element 216temperature. The controller 226 can compare the average temperature totwo or more different setpoints. For example, the controller 226 candetermine in step 1410 whether the average temperature is less than alower setpoint, and determine in step 1414 whether the averagetemperature is greater than an upper setpoint. The controller 226 canthen wait 1418 a specified amount of time, such as one minute, beforerepeating process 1400 to continue regulating the temperature of thesubstance 115. The wait time 1418 can be less than 1 minute.

FIG. 15 illustrates a system 1500 for controlling reagent delivery basedon feedback received from the sensing device 120. As shown in FIG. 15,the system 1500 can include a control unit 1510 and a syringe dispenserpump 1520 configured to pump specified quantities of a reagent 1522 intothe container 110 via the dispensing nozzle 1524. The sensing device 120positioned in the substance 115 can measure one or more properties ofthe substance, such as fluorescence, absorbance, index of refraction,pH, an electrochemical signal, fluid level, or specific gravity, andwirelessly transmits data describing the measured properties to thecontrol unit 1510. The control unit 1510 can be programmed with adesired setpoint for the measured property, and can be configured tocontrol the syringe dispenser pump 1520 to deliver the reagent 1522 tothe container 110 to achieve the desired setpoint.

For example, the setpoint can be a desired pH for the substance 115 andthe reagent 1522 can be an acid or base. The control unit 1510 receivesthe pH measured by the sensing device 120 and compares the measured pHto the desired pH. If the measured pH is different from the desired pH,the control unit 1510 can cause the syringe dispenser pump 1520 todispense a specified volume of the reagent 1522 into the container 110until the desired pH is achieved. As another example, the setpoint canbe a desired absorbance, fluorescence, or electrochemical signal,corresponding to a desired concentration of a particular compound in thesubstance 115 that can be altered by adding the reagent 1522. Thecontrol unit 1510 receives the absorbance, fluorescence, orelectrochemical signal measured by the sensing device 120, and comparesthe received data to the setpoint. If the received data is differentfrom the setpoint, the control unit 1510 can cause the syringe dispenserpump 1520 to dispense a specified volume of the reagent 1522 into thecontainer 110 until the desired property is achieved.

The control unit 1510 and syringe dispenser pump 1520 can beincorporated into a single device instead of the two devices shown inFIG. 15. Furthermore, the control unit 1510 may control multiple syringedispenser pumps 1520 to deliver multiple reagents 1522 to the substance115. The system can also be configured to remove some or all ofsubstance 115 from container 110, for example when a specific propertyof substance 115 has been achieved or to control the level of substance115.

Methods for Use

FIG. 16 illustrates an example hot plate system 1600 including multiplecontainers 110A and 110B, as well as multiple sensing devices 120A and120B. The first sensing device 120A can be rotated by a first magnet1622A, agitating and measuring properties of a first substance 115A inthe first container 110A as it is rotated. The second sensing device120B can be rotated by a second magnet 1622B, agitating and measuringproperties of a second substance 115B in the second container 110B as itis rotated. The first substance 115A can be heated by a first heatingsurface 1612A, and the second substance 115B can be heated by a secondheating surface 1612B. The wireless receiver 214 receives data from thesensing devices 120A and 120B, from which outputs of the hot platesystem 1600 can be controlled. For example, based on data received fromthe sensing device 120A, the hot plate system 1600 can increase ordecrease the temperature of the first heating surface 1612A or canincrease or decrease the rate of rotation of the first magnet 1622A.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example blender system 1700 including a wirelesssensing device 120. In the example of FIG. 17, a blender pitcher 1710can contain a substance to be blended (not shown). Blades 1720 canrotate within the blender pitcher 1710 to break up and blend thesubstance. The sensing device 120 can be incorporated into the blades1720 to measure properties of the substance as it is blended. A controlunit 1730 can receive user inputs to increase or decrease the rate ofrotation of the blades 1720, and can receive feedback from the sensingdevice 120 to automatically increase or decrease the rate of rotation ofthe blades 1720 based on the detected properties of the substance in theblender pitcher 1710. Alternatively a temperature sensor 1740 built intothe blender pitcher 1710 can detect temperature of the substance to beblended and via the antenna 1750 in the blender pitcher 1710 transmitthe temperature information via a receiver antenna 1760 in the controlunit 1730.

FIGS. 18A-18B illustrate an example wine monitoring system 1800. In theexample of FIG. 18A, a wireless sensing device 120 can be placed in awine bottle 1810 before the bottle is sealed and can monitor propertiesof the wine in the bottle 1810. The sensing device 120 can transmit themeasured properties to an external wireless receiver, which can reportthe properties to a retailer or consumer. For example, the sensingdevice 120 may report a concentration of thiols, acetic acid, or oxygenin the wine. The retailer or consumer can use the reported informationto determine the quality of the wine prior to opening the bottle 1810.

FIG. 18B illustrates an example of the sensing device 120 configured todetect sense properties of the wine that may indicate its quality. Theconfiguration of the sensing device 120 shown in FIG. 18B can include aplastic overmold 1820 with an exposed electrochemical sensing area 1822on its surface. The electrochemical sensing area 1822 can include one ormore of the measuring electrode 804, the counter electrode 806, and thereference electrode 808 described with respect to FIG. 8, and can beconfigured to detect thiols, acetic acid, oxygen, or other relevantcomponents of the wine. The sensing device 120 can also include thecircuit board 502 for controlling operations and the antenna 510 forwireless communication with an external device.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of the sensing device 120 configured tosense the fluid level of substance 115 in a container 110. The sensingdevice 120 uses an ultrasonic sensor 1930 coupled to a wirelesscommunication circuit and antenna 1910. The sensing device 120 alsocontain a ballast 1920 for orienting the sensing device 120.

A wireless sensing device 120 as described herein can be used fornumerous other applications. For example, a sensing device 120 can beused by a beer maker to remotely monitor the specific gravity of thebeer. When the specific gravity reaches a specified quantity, an alertcan be generated to notify the beer maker. As another example, a sensingdevice 120 can be used by an employee of a hospital or laboratory toverify whether sterilized or autoclaved substances reached a desiredsterilization temperature. The sensing device 120 can monitor thetemperature of the substances as they are autoclaved, and notify theemployee whether the temperature inside the substance reached thesterilization temperature. In yet another example, a chef can monitorproperties of food in a closed container using a sensing device 120 todetermine precisely when the food reaches a desired temperature,viscosity, specific gravity, or combinations thereof. In another examplea chemical reaction with multiple steps can be processed by using thesensing device 120 as a temperature sensor and as an agitator in thereaction compound where an instrument is programmed to expose thechemical compound to different temperature steps and agitationvelocities for different periods of time and using the feedback from thesensing device 120 to set correct temperature in the various steps. Inanother example an industrial processing station can monitor theconductivity of a cleaning fluid and replace it if the conductivity getsabove a specific value.

Each of the individual variations or embodiments described andillustrated herein has discrete components and features which may bereadily separated from or combined with the features of any of the othervariations or embodiments. Modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation, material, composition of matter, process, processact(s) or step(s) to the objective(s), spirit or scope of thedisclosure.

Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recitedevents that is logically possible, as well as the recited order ofevents. Moreover, additional steps or operations may be provided orsteps or operations may be eliminated to achieve the desired result.

Furthermore, where a range of values is provided, every interveningvalue between the upper and lower limit of that range and any otherstated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed withinthe disclosure. Also, any optional feature of the variations describedmay be set forth and claimed independently, or in combination with anyone or more of the features described herein.

All existing subject matter mentioned herein (e.g., publications,patents, patent applications and hardware) is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety except insofar as the subject matter may conflictwith that of the present disclosure (in which case what is presentherein shall prevail). The referenced items are provided solely fortheir disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application.Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the presentdisclosure is not entitled to antedate such material by virtue of priordisclosure.

Reference to a singular item, includes the possibility that there areplural of the same items present. More specifically, as used herein andin the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “said” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude anyoptional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve asantecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,”“only” and the like in connection with the recitation of elements, oruse of a “negative” limitation. Unless defined otherwise, all technicaland scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventionbelongs.

This disclosure is not intended to be limited to the scope of theparticular forms set forth, but is intended to cover alternatives,modifications, and equivalents of the variations described herein.Further, the scope of the disclosure fully encompasses other variationsthat may become obvious to those skilled in the art in view of thisdisclosure.

We claim:
 1. A method for heating and agitating a liquid in a container,comprising: positioning the container on a heating device, wherein theheating device comprises a heating element and a wireless receiver;positioning a submersible device in the liquid, wherein the submersibledevice comprises a first temperature measurement element and a wirelesstransmitter, and wherein the wireless transmitter is in communicationwith the wireless receiver; measuring a liquid temperature of the liquidwith the first temperature measurement element; communicating the liquidtemperature from the first temperature measurement element to a heatingelement controller; heating the liquid, wherein heating the liquidcomprises activating the heating element by the heating elementcontroller based on the liquid temperature communicated to the heatingelement controller; and agitating the liquid, wherein the submersibledevice comprises a first magnet, and wherein the heating devicecomprises a magnetic field creator, and wherein the magnetic fieldcreator creates and alters a magnetic field exerting a magnetic force onthe first magnet, and wherein the agitating the liquid comprises movingthe submersible device in the liquid with the magnetic force on thefirst magnet.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnetic fieldcreator comprises a permanent magnet and a motor, wherein the motor ismechanically attached to the permanent magnet, further comprisingrotating the permanent magnet with the motor.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the magnetic field creator comprises one or more electromagnets.4. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting a targettemperature of the liquid with one or more controls on the heatingdevice.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting a targettemperature of the liquid, wherein when the liquid temperaturecommunicated to the heating element controller is above the targettemperature, the heating element controller de-activates the heatingelement.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting a targettemperature of the liquid, wherein when the liquid temperaturecommunicated to the heating element controller is below the targettemperature, the heating element controller activates the heatingelement.
 7. The method of claim the heating element controller is in theheating device.
 8. The method of claim 1, herein the submersible devicecomprises a second temperature measurement element of a different typethan the first temperature measurement element and where the temperaturemeasurement of the first temperature measurement element and the secondtemperature measurement element is compared by the heating elementcontroller and where the heating is terminated if a set difference isdetermined between the two temperature measurements thereby indicating afailure in the temperature measurement.
 9. A system for heating andagitating liquid comprising: a container holding the liquid; asubmersible device positioned at least partially in the liquid, thesubmersible device comprising a magnet, a wireless transmitter, and atemperature measurement element in data communication with the wirelesstransmitter.
 10. An instrument device for heating and agitating a liquidin a separate container and a wireless measurement device that can bedropped into the liquid to be heated and where the instrumentcommunicates with and powers the measurement device wirelessly and canthereby measure at least one property of the liquid.
 11. The device ofclaim 10, wherein the wireless measurement device comprises a wirelesstemperature sensor device configured to communicate with a receiver viawireless communication, and wherein the sensor device has at least oneof the following properties: a) the sensor device is powered withwireless energy; b) the sensor device agitates liquid by use of magneticaction; c) the sensor device has at least 2 different temperaturemeasurement elements that can be compared and if they do not track thenthe device is considered broken or out of calibration; d) at least oneof the temperature measurement elements is configured to operate bymeasuring the resistance change in a thermistor; e) at least one of thetemperature measurement elements is configured to operate by measuringthe change in voltage of a semiconductor device.
 12. The device of claim10, wherein the wireless measurement device can be completely immersedinto the liquid, and wherein the measurement device does not require anywires to function; and wherein said wireless measurement device has atleast one of the following properties: a) the measurement devicecommunicates with the instrument via wireless signals and themeasurement device is powered with wireless energy; b) the liquid to beheated is contained in a separate container that can be placed on or atthe instrument; c) the measurement device also functions as an agitatorof the liquid to be heated and the instrument activates the agitatorfunction via a magnetic field; d) the measurement device measures atleast one liquid characteristic, said at least one characteristic beingany of temperature, pH, Specific gravity, viscosity, salinity,conductance, color, absorbance, fluorescence, pressure, electrochemical,conductivity, chemiluminescence, liquid level, rotation, acceleration orvelocity.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the measurement device canbe completely immersed into the liquid, and wherein the measurementdevice measures the temperature of the liquid; and wherein said wirelessmeasurement device has at least one of the following properties: a) themeasurement device communicates with the instrument via radio waves andthe measurement device is powered with radio waves; b) the liquid to beagitated is contained in a separate container that can be placed on orat the instrument; c) the measurement device also functions as anagitator of the liquid to be heated and where the instrument canactivate the agitator function via a magnetic field; d) the measurementdevice also measures other liquid characteristics such as any of pH orfluid velocity; and/or e) the measurement device also measures at leastone other characteristic of the fluid, said at least one othercharacteristic being any of pH, Specific gravity, viscosity, salinity,conductance, color, absorbance, fluorescence, pressure, electrochemical,conductivity, chemiluminescence, liquid level, rotation or velocity. 14.The device of claim 10, wherein the wireless measurement devicecomprises a wireless pH sensor device configured to communicate with areceiver via wireless communication, and wherein the sensor device hasat least one of the following properties: a) the sensor device ispowered with wireless energy; and/or b) the sensor device agitatesliquid by use of magnetic action.
 15. The device of claim 10, whereinthe measurement device can float near or at the top of the liquid, andwherein the measurement device measures at least one property of theliquid, said at least one property of the liquid being any of pH,Specific gravity, viscosity, salinity, conductance, color, absorbance,fluorescence, pressure, electrochemical, conductivity,chemiluminescence, liquid level, rotation or velocity.
 16. The device ofclaim 10, wherein the liquid is agitated by magnetic action by aseparate encapsulated magnet near the bottom of the liquid, and whereinthe measurement device can float near or at the top of the liquid, andwherein the measurement device measures at least one property of theliquid, said at least one property of the liquid being any of pH,Specific gravity, viscosity, salinity, conductance, color, absorbance,fluorescence, pressure, electrochemical, conductivity,chemiluminescence, liquid level, rotation or velocity.
 17. The device ofclaim 10, wherein the measurement device measures the pH of the liquid.18. The device of claim 10, wherein the measurement device is configuredto work as an agitator, and wherein the measurement device measures thetemperature of the liquid.
 19. The device of claim 10, wherein themeasurement device is configured to work as an agitator, and wherein themeasurement device measures the pH of the liquid.